Houma Police Seeking Parents Of Toddlers Killed In Fire

Houma Police have issued warrants on the parents of two children who were killed in a house fire March 15.

Houma Police Lt. Dana Coleman says Romell Welsh Sr. and Vaneshia Valentine have been charged with two counts of manslaughter, and they are searching for the couple's whereabouts.

"We have several detectives in the area talking to relatives, talking to neighbors, trying to find the location of Vaneshia Valentine and Romell Welsh Sr.," Coleman said.

Funeral services were held Monday for the two toddlers, 2-year-old Romell Welsh Jr. and 1-year-old Ro'Miya Welsh. Coleman said attempts to locate the parents following the services were unsuccessful.

"We don't know where Mr. Welsh and Ms. Valentine are at this point," Coleman said. "We have been in contact with the mother via telephone, and we are trying to coordinate something for her to come turn herself in to us."

Police have not said where the parents were at the time of the fire, but it is known they were not at home. Coleman said because of the nature of the incident and its surrounding circumstances, they feel the manslaughter charge is appropriate.